Bus passengers update about changing fares

Local Link, Ring and Ride and school bus passengers are set to see a number of changes to the fares they pay.

The changes, which TFGM say will help support essential services and invest in ongoing transport network improvements, will see the following fares increase:

Local Link (from 1 June): single fare increase from £2.50 to £2.60, weekly ticket increase from £20 to £20.80, concessionary single fare increase from £1.20 to £1.25 and a concessionary weekly ticket increase from £10 to £10.40.

School bus (from September): single fare increase from £1.30 to £1.35, return ticket increase from £2.20 to £2.30 and a weekly ticket increase from £7 to £7.30.

TFGM say Local Link and school bus fares are increasing in line with inflation, while Ring and Ride fares are increasing to help maintain the existing level of service to customers following a funding reduction to Greater Manchester Accessible Transport Ltd (GMATL) – which operates the Ring and Ride service.

The Ring and Ride fare increase was discussed during a consultation process with users and charity groups. Stakeholder consultation sessions were held in September 2017 and public surgeries were held in April 2017 and April 2018.

According to TFGM, the feedback indicated that users would be willing to pay the revised fare, as they valued the service greatly and felt that it would still offer value for money.

TfGM’s Interim Head of Bus Services, Alison Chew, said: “Where commercial operators don’t run we have an important role to play in paying for services where there is a social need, so that access to education, healthcare and jobs is maintained.

“We strive to ensure that they provide the best possible service while also representing value for the public purse.

“We recognise that there’s never a good time to increase fares but the changes are needed to ensure these vital services can continue to operate without any detriment to customers.”

For information on public transport across Greater Manchester visit www.tfgm.com, call 0161 244 1000 (7am-8pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am-8pm at weekends and bank holidays) or follow @OfficialTfGMon Twitter.